Building decks Pro tips and simple steps

Many view their backyard as a room of their house, so the popularity of decks is not surprising. Decks are also one of the most common major do-it-yourself projects, so it is essential that every public library have several deck-building titles. You won't go wrong with this offering from Meredith, which is the ideal book for those who want to make a traditional square or rectangular deck. Nearly anyone capable of wielding a hammer could complete a deck using this title, which is geared toward beginners, with lots of color photos and detailed descriptions of tools and materials. A section on finishing and repairs will ensure that the final project looks good and remains serviceable. Those looking for a more comprehensive treatment should consider Scott Schuttner's Building a Deck (part of Taunton's new "Build Like a Pro" series), which covers a greater number of techniques and, naturally, assumes a greater level of reader expertise. (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.